Bodkin / Patterns

Bunker Fly

Baitfish · Striped Bass · Bluefish · Cobia · Tuna · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Gamakatsu SL12S or Owner Aki, 3/0-5/0
  • Thread White GSP 200

Materials

  • Tail White saddle hackles or SF Blend (6 feathers / 2 clumps)
  • Body White bucktail or EP/SF Blend, hi-tied top and bottom (4-6 stations)
  • Back Olive-brown or gray bucktail (2 clumps)
  • Flash Gold and pearl Flashabou (10-15 strands)
  • Gill/flank spot Black marker shoulder dot (1 per side)
  • Eyes Extra-large 3D eyes, resin-set (1 pair)

How to tie it

  1. Tie in the white saddle or synthetic tail at the bend, 3-4 shank lengths long.
  2. Build the signature deep, dinner-plate profile by hi-tying alternating clumps of white fiber above and below the shank at 4-5 stations, each flared with tight wraps. A menhaden is a hand-sized oval, so height matters more than length.
  3. Blend in gold and pearl flash along the flanks as you go.
  4. Cap the back with olive-brown or gray clumps at the head, and trim the whole fly to a broad oval.
  5. Add the tell-tale black shoulder spot behind the gill area with a marker on each side.
  6. Set extra-large 3D eyes in UV resin at the head; the resin also stiffens the head so the fly swims true.

Tying videos

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